Embracing Sustainability Trends in the Corporate Movement to go GREEN

Transcription

1 Embracing Sustainability Trends in the Corporate Movement to go GREEN Adam Schoenberg Center for Environmental Leadership in Business Conservation International IAAPA Attractions Expo November 20, 2008: Orlando, FL

2 Conservation International Who we are + what we do

3 About CI: Engaging Extraordinary People Our staff brings together top professionals in science, business, communications and public policy Trusted partner to thousands of organizations, including government, academia, private sector and communities CI s Board of Directors includes world-renown leaders in business, science and public life

4 The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) Mission: To engage the private sector worldwide as a positive force for the environment

5 Opportunities Created through Environmental Leadership Enhanced brand passion: building deep values-based relationships with patrons, employees and suppliers Bottom line benefits: through greater efficiency from technological / environmental innovation and brand positioning Leadership positioning: setting a high bar by reducing environmental footprint and encouraging business partners to do the same Strengthening community relations: by providing creative outreach opportunities that enable positive action Preserving License to Grow: to address current and future regulation as well as supporting positive community relations Potential for impact: telling a story that will inspire patrons and making conservation investments that will contribute to saving Life on Earth

6 The Green Corporate Movement

7 Today s Major Environmental Challenges Energy consumption & sources Water pollution & scarcity Species & habitat loss Waste & pollution Global warming

8 Key Environmental Impact + Opportunity Areas Infrastructure Construction, energy and water use, recycling, waste reduction, landscaping Manufacturing, other operations Materials and emissions Purchasing/procurement Food & beverage, cleaning products, merchandise, etc. Paper use, other office impacts Carbon footprint & offset Awareness and education Employees and customers Meetings and events Travel Business travel, commuting, company fleets

9 Key Concepts Reduce/conserve: Increase efficiency (energy, water, systems) Reduce idle time (vehicles, machinery) Avoid unnecessary use Reuse/repurpose: Avoid disposables/single-use products Reuse and repair rather than dispose Repurpose rather than dispose Recycle: Divert waste to recycling Use recycled-content products

10 Corporate Sustainability Programs Basic Program Ad-hoc initiatives (e.g. recycling) Ad-hoc sourcing of a few green products (e.g. recycled paper) Continuous Improvement Traditional Program Environmental footprint assessment identifies range of impacts Green team with variety of focus areas More comprehensive range of initiatives Advanced Program Clear short- and longterm goals, targets & metrics Green team formally integrated into management structure Integrated with other corp. initiatives (e.g. diversity) Public reporting on progress World Class Program Green principles integrated into companywide decision-making processes Employees held accountable for environmental impact of decisions Progress in meeting targets is transparently reported 3rd party certification of program, reporting, products, as appropriate Education and engagement with customers

11 Energy Consumption & Sources Tactics: reduce consumption, increase efficiency, use new technologies, switch to green sources Example: Industry: baseball stadium Goal: reduce energy consumption Actions: replaced traditional lamp reflector with redesigned shape Result: reduced light pollution ; 21% energy savings over typical ballpark Lesson: evaluate whether more efficient alternatives already exist; look for simple solutions

12 Water Pollution & Scarcity Tactics: reduce consumption, reuse wastewater, minimize runoff, minimize pollution Example: Industry: a private middle school Goal: reduce municipal water use Actions: constructed wetland/grey-water treatment ponds, recycle water in building (toilets, cooling towers) Result: reduced municipal water use by 90% Lesson: treat and repurpose waste water and other wastes

13 Species & Habitat Loss Tactics: evaluate surrounding habitat, integrate habitat protections into site Example: Industry: major US skiing company Goal: protect species & habitat on golf course Actions: incorporated nature trail, maintain wetlands, use natural roughs Result: designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary; added value as destination for enthusiasts Lesson: incorporate conservation measures into planning phase of development projects

14 Waste & Pollution Tactics: reduce waste, maximize diversion (from landfills), reuse/repurpose wastes, capture pollution Example: Industry: a major UK grocery chain Goal: maximize recycling rate of customers Actions: provided automated recycling service to customers Result: account for 13% of all materials collected for recycling by local authorities Lesson: reuse, recycle, repurpose wastes

15 Global Warming Tactics: improve energy efficiency, reduce travel, switch to green energy sources, offset emissions Example: Industry: a major international home furnishings store Goal: minimize footprint of customers traveling to store Actions: consider proximity to transit when siting stores, provide free home delivery, provide free shuttles to transit Result: progressing toward goal of 10% of customers using public transit by 2009; increase access of customer base Lesson: providing low-cost services brings in business and improves sustainability

16 EPA Energy Star Program: Energystar.gov GreenBiz: greenbiz.com Blog of leading corporate greening news. Earth 911: earth911.org Resource for recycling in the US. Greenhouse Gas Protocol: ghgprotocol.org Resource for greenhouse gas accounting methods. State of Green Business 2008, Joel Makower update on the state of major initiatives in green business. Doing Good: Business and the Sustainability Challenge. Economist Intelligence Unit, Review of lessons learned by businesses engaged in sustainability. Office Depot s Green Book of environmentally preferable products Source for environmentally preferable products GreenYour.com Website that offers advice on how to green various aspects of life.

17 Marketing + Communications Update Discussion with Wal-Mart June 19, 2008 thank you

18